Q: Tell me a little about yourself (where you’re from what you’re doing now…etc)
A: I grew up in Rapid City. My husband and I left to WY for a short time and returned to the Black Hills. I am Registered Nurse, 11 years. We have 2 girls. We love the outdoors.
Q: How long have you been running and how did you get started?
A: I started running in elementary school. I ran in middle school track and then stopped after my freshman year in high school. I played soccer growing up, continuing to run for training. After high school, Rapid City didn’t have much for women’s soccer so I picked back up running.
Q: Would you rather run with a group or alone?
A: Depends on the day, I love to lose myself in my runs, which can happen when I am alone or with a group. I enjoy the company and motivation running with people but also the absent mind when running alone. I have met amazing new friends running!
Q: Do you prefer roads or trails?
A: Until a couple of years ago I had only run road. I absolutely love the trails. I have seen amazing sights in the Black Hills that I didn’t know were even in my backyard.
I still enjoy road running, but I appreciate the variety of places to run here at home. I also really enjoy traveling to run. You can see so many different things when you are out on foot.
Q: What is your favorite distance or race?
A: I don’t know if I have a favorite distance. I enjoy them all as long as I feel good. I have definitely had runs that don’t feel good, short and long distances. When I finish and I feel that I accomplished what was needed, whether it was a hard workout or an easy run to relax.
Q: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
A: That is where my running partners are the most important. If I know they are meeting me, I will be there. Other times it may be a little forced buy once I get going it is usually the best thing for a long day.
Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding/inspiring thing about running?
A: Accomplishment, I love the feeling of accomplishing my goal. After my first marathon and few others that went horrible, I was bound and determined there would be another and it would go better. I am stubborn in that I don’t like to give up easily.
Q: Tell us a little trivia about your running?
A: I am not sure I have any 🙃…
Q: What is your favorite running memory?
A: I have so many! From crossing the finish line of the Medtronic Marathon hand in hand with my sister, running a first marathon with a friend, to qualifying for Boston with the amazing group from the BH running community! Of course, going for runs with my husband, 2 girls and our black lab!
I really enjoy watching my girls race. I know the excitement, maybe a little fear before a race, and the amazing feeling of crossing the finish line. I love seeing them have that same feelings.
Q: If I didn’t run I’d….
A: Get fat! I am sure I would have something else to occupy my time. I think I would struggle if I lost my running in my life. I hopefully would find something that could challenge and reward me as much as running.
Q: Do you have a pre-race ritual?
A: It has changed so much over the years as I have learned so much. The biggest impact is HYDRATING! I really focus on hydrating the week of the race, limiting alcohol and caffeine.
Q: What are your future running goals?
A: It was Boston and someday, I may be able to cross that finish line. I have also been really considering more ultra running, someday I will complete a 100 mile race. Until that day comes, I will continue to run and enjoy watching my girls grow up.
Q: Tell us something about yourself we might not know?
A: I am a stroke survivor. I had a stroke at 27 years old, received thrombolytics, walked out of the hospital and ran a marathon 6 weeks later. The Medtronic Marathon and crossing the finish line with my sister, I will never forget that feeling of being fortunate of my life. My husband didn’t want me to keep running but I told him it saved my life, helping me recover as fast as I did, well the drug helped too. My promise to him, I will always have my phone with me. That was 10 years ago and thankfully I have not had any other health issues.
Q: What advice do you have for new runners?
A: Don’t give up, enjoy the struggles, the achievements, and everything in between!